Mr LINDSAY (1:07 PM) —During this sitting today three Australian men will die from prostate cancer. They are three Australian men who do not need to die. I think that underlines the necessity and the importance of the motion that has been presented to the parliament this afternoon. Unlike the member for Robertson and the member for Lilley, I am not emotionally involved in this particular issue. But many men are. Because I am not emotionally involved I can speak with clarity and support sensible ideas in relation to issues where we can do better for our male community in Australia today.

I welcome this discussion. Some people think that perhaps you should not talk about prostate cancer—that perhaps it is something that should not be discussed openly. Times have changed, and I think it is particularly relevant that this matter should be discussed in the Australian parliament. I want to thank Les Payne, Malcolm Wallace, Bert Verheyen and Des Peters, who are the leaders of a prostate cancer support group in Townsville. They have been to see me on a number of occasions. They are passionate advocates and very strong supporters of the member for Robertson's motion this afternoon.

I think it is very clear that, in relation to breast cancer, women are extraordinarily aware of the dangers. The member for Lilley has pointed that out. But men are not aware of the dangers of prostate cancer. I think that is the nitty-gritty of this problem. I am particularly pleased, member for Robertson, to see paragraphs (3) and (4) of your motion. Paragraph (3) notes the reported collapse of the proposed national television awareness campaign about prostate cancer. The importance of that was, of course, to get the understanding out there—the understanding that is needed for men to know what potential problems are there and what they might be able to do about them.

I am also pleased to see the member for Robertson, in paragraph (4), calling on the federal government to examine funding options that will enable increased research into prostate cancer. According to the Cancer Council, it is very important that there be more research into this area. Currently, there is a good deal of controversy—we have heard it articulated already in the parliament—even within the medical fraternity. It is only through quality research that these issues will be resolved and we will get the best outcome not only for the government and the medical community but also for the patients themselves—those people who potentially could have prostate cancer. Better understanding and a balanced education program are extraordinarily important, and I wholeheartedly support the member for Robertson's motion.

I illustrate my concern this way. About three years ago there was no breast screening process on Magnetic Island in Townsville. I thought that was unusual and that women on Magnetic Island should have access to breast cancer screening. I arranged for the cancer screening unit to go to Magnetic Island for the very first time. About three months later I was on the island and a woman came up to me and said, `You know, you saved my life.' It is a really humbling experience to have that happen. She had not intended to go and be screened but, because the facility was available, she went, was screened and was found to have an aggressive breast cancer that was curable. That is a wonderful thing. The same should occur in relation to prostate cancer. Men should be aware of, and have the opportunity to have full information on, how they might protect themselves against this deadly cancer. I started this discussion by saying that a man dies of prostate cancer every three hours in our community. This cancer is curable if it is detected early, so let us do that. (Time expired)